How Long Does an Oil Change Take for Semi-Trucks?

Without oil, your semi-truck isn’t much more use than a paperweight. Oil changes are a crucial part of preventative maintenance for your rig and need to be done regularly to keep your truck running properly. As a trucker, you know this, and you also know that time is money. But while you are waiting, do you ever wonder what happens during the oil change?

All of LubeZone’s technicians are ASE certified, so you can be sure that your truck is in good hands. Every member of our team is trained on how to safely handle old oil, how to add the correct type and amount of oil, and much more about truck cabs so that they can provide the best care and service for each of our valued customers.

So, how long does an oil change take, and what exactly goes into the process?

At LubeZone, we can complete a full synthetic oil change for your semi-truck in about 45 minutes. That includes draining the old oil, changing the filter, and adding new oil. However, there are a few other steps that go into the oil change process, and we want to make sure you understand everything that goes into keeping your truck on the road.

Secure the Rig

The first step is to drive your truck onto the lift and secure it in place. This might seem like a no-brainer, but have you ever thought about how important it is for a technician to know how to safely secure a truck on the lift? An unladen semi-truck cab weighs around 5,000 pounds. That’s a lot of weight to be hovering over your head while performing maintenance, so it’s important that the truck is properly secured before any work can begin.

Drain the Old Oil

Once it’s safe and stable, our technicians will begin draining the old oil. This is done by removing the drain plug and letting the oil drain into a pan. The entire process of draining the old oil usually takes about 5 minutes, give or take a minute depending on how much oil needs to be drained. Your old oil is disposed of properly, and you can rest assured that it won’t end up in a landfill, storm drain, or a pit out back like the “old days.”

Change the Filter

With the old oil gone, it’s time to change the filter. This is a crucial step in the process, as the filter is what actually cleans the oil as it circulates through your engine. The filter will be replaced with a new one and the gasket will be lubricated before it is screwed in to ensure that it sits properly and holds a seal. Adding new oil without changing the filter would be pointless, as the new oil would just become contaminated immediately.

As with your oil, the filter will be disposed of properly.

Fill with New Oil

Once the filter is changed, it’s time to add new oil. This is done by pouring fresh oil into the semi-truck’s engine through the fill hole. The amount of oil needed will depend on your truck’s make and model, but our technicians always make sure to add the correct amount specified by the manufacturer.

Check for Leaks

The last step in the process is to check for leaks. Once the new oil has been added, our technicians will start the truck and let it idle for a few minutes. This gives them a chance to check for any leaks that might have developed during the oil change process. There is nothing worse — or more costly — than realizing you have no oil because your motor has seized, and this is a concern you won’t need to consider when you trust LubeZone with your rig.

Hit the Road

And that’s it! In about 45 minutes, your truck will be back on the road with fresh oil and a new filter. If you have any questions about the oil change process or if you need to schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call! Make sure to ask about our preventative maintenance programs too, which can save you time and money down the road.

What Else Do We Do During An Oil Change?

As we mentioned, there are a few other things that go into an oil change beyond just draining the old oil and adding new oil. These steps might seem small, but they can make a big difference in how your truck runs.

Here are a few of the other steps our technicians take to ensure your truck is running at its best:

For instance, we’ll check your air filter to ensure that it’s clean and free of debris. We’ll also check your belts and hoses for any signs of wear or tear. If we find any issues, we’ll let you know so that you can have them repaired before they cause more serious problems.

We’ll also top off any fluids that might be low, and we’ll inspect your brakes to make sure they’re in good condition. We want to make sure that you’re safe on the road and that your truck is in good working order before you hit the open highway.

As you can see, there’s a lot more to an oil change than just draining the old oil and adding new oil. Our experienced technicians take the time to inspect your entire vehicle to ensure that everything is in good working order. We want to make sure that you’re safe on the road and that your truck is running smoothly.

If you have any questions about our oil change process, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

LubeZone

LubeZone is the fastest growing dedicated semi-truck service in the United States with locations in Texas, California, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Georgia. Our preventative maintenance solutions are designed to get the professional driver back on the road FAST.